Bottle dispenser



May 11 1948 v E. A. TERHUNE 2,441,519

BOTTLE DISPENSER Filed Oct. 4, 1945 8 Sheets-Sheet l M ay 1l, 1948. A. TERHUNE 2,441,519

BOTTLE DIsPENEjR Filed Oct. 45, 1945 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 1'1, 1948; E A, TERHUNE 2,441,519

BOTTLE DISPENSER Filed Oct. 4, 1945 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TOR.

K cf/P` zo o @QH g BY 4 May 11', 1948. E. A. TERHUNE BOTTLE DIS-PENSER Filed Oct. 4, 1945 8 Sheets-Shet 4 Wigs 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 7. RM M 5 5 1M V H i I 1 M M mf u w@ .mf 6W @L 1. i

May 11, 1948- E. A. TERHUNE BOTTLE DISPENSER Filed oct. 4. 1945 o o 61 e1 55 52 May l1,

\ 1948. E. A. TERHUNE BOTTLE'DISPENSER Filed Oct. 4, 1945 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 May 11,- 1948. E.` 'A. TERHUNE 2,441,519

' BOTTLE DISPENSER Filed oct. 4, 1945 8 sheets-sheet 7 IN V EN TOR.

12160@ @L cw May 11, 1948. E. A. TERHUNE BOTTLE DISPENSER Filed OCT.. 4, 1945 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR.

Patented May 11, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BOTTLE DISPENSER EdwaraA. Termine, oak Park, 111.

Application October 4, 1945, Serial No. 620,325

(Cl. 31e-46) 17 Claims. l

This invention relates to improvements in coin controlled dispensing machines particularly adapted for bottles, and similar elongated articles, although not limited to such use.

Among the objects ofthe invention is to provide an especially compact form of upright multiple magazine, with a novel means for lifting and ejecting the articles automatically from the upper ends thereof and discharging them by gravity to a deliverystation.

A further object is to provide novel and eflircient means for insuring delivery of the articles in predetermined one-by-one order from the separate compartments comprising the multiple magazine.

A still further object is to provide a novel form of delivery chute including barrier means for protecting the mechanism against tampering from the exterior of the casing.

Another object is to provide a simple and efficient arrangement including a mechanical revfrigerator unit for cooling the articles in the mag'- azine, and means for storing and .pre-cooling additional articles within the cooling space within the casing. I

These and other objects of the invention will appear from time to time as 'the following description proceeds.

In the drawings: y

Figure 1 is a perspective View of a coin-controlled bottle dispensing machine constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged side view of the bottle magazine and delivery mechanism, with part shown in elevation and part in section, and with an intermediate part of the bottle mechanism broken away.

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical section of the top end of the bottle magazine, and delivery mechanism showing a bottle in delivered position.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical section taken longitudinally of one of the bottle magazines, to show details of the bottle elevator and ejecting means. i

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail view, part in section, of the cable winding mechanism.

Figure 6 is a horizontal detail section of the bottle magazine, taken on line '6-6 of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a detail section of one of the bottle compartments, with the bottles removed.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary detail section ofthe bottle magazine, showing means for accommodat-l ing bottles of a smaller size therein.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary perspective view 2V showing details of one of the electric control switches.

Figure 10 is a detail front view of the bottle magazine, and showing the means for turning a bottle as it is ejected from the upper end of one of the magazine compartments.

Figure 11 is a detail top view of the bottle magazine, and delivery'chute, drawn to a somewhat smaller scale than Figure 10.

Figure 12 is a Vfragmentary front View of the ejection and delivery mechanism at the top of the magazine and showing a bottle as it is passing downwardly over the ejection openings to the delivery chute.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary top view showing details of 'the delivery chute.

Figure 14 is a fragmentary top View similar to Figure 8, to illustrate the means for turning a somewhat smaller bottle as it is ejected from the top of the magazine.

Figure 15 is a schematic electric diagram of the electric control system employed with the dispensing mechanism.

Figure 16 is |a detail section of the refrigerator unit at the top of the cabinet, taken in a vertical plane at right angles to the front wall of said cabinet.

Figure 17 is a detail section taken on line I'l-I'l of Figure 16.

Referring now to details of the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, I0 indicatesA generally a cabinet or casing containing the bottle dispensing mechanism, and also housing the refrigerating mechanism for cooling the bottles therein. The cabinet has a base I I, side walls I2, I2, and a'rear wall I3, and topwall I4. A horizontal partition I5 near the top of the cabinet divides the latter into an upper compartment for housing the refrigerating unit indicated generally at I6, and a lower compartment for housing the dispensing mechanism indicated generally at I'l. Access to the upper compartment is provided by a pair of hoods I8, I8, hinged along opposite sides of the partition I5, and meeting each other across the top of the casing. Access to the lower compartment is provided by `a front door 20, hinged to one'of the side walls I2.

The bottle dispensing mechanism Il is mounted as a unit onra platform 25v which is slidably mounted relative to the base II so as to permit the entire dispensing mechanism to be inserted or withdrawn as a unit from the cabinet,.for assembly or repair. The platform 25 has a pair of parallel spaced angle bars 26, 26, beneath opposite sides, with a pair of axles 21, 21 having rollers 23 thereon riding on metal tracks 29, 29 on the base I I. Flanges 30 on the angle bars 26 are guided in laterally opening grooved flanges 3l along the tracks 29, as seen in Figures 4 and 5 to prevent displacement of the dispensing unit in the event that the cabinet is tilted.

A plurality of bottle compartments or magazines, herein four in number, indicated at 33, 34, 35 and S5, are mounted on the platform 25. Said compartments are disposed in upright parallel relation immediately adjacent each other, the front compartment 33 having a front wall 31, the

intermediate compartments having common upright parallel partitions 38, 39 and 40 separting them, and the rear compartment 36 havingv a rear wall fil. The compartments are generally similar in structure, excepting that they are of graduated height from front to rear, to assist in discharging the bottles by gravity therefrom, as will presently appear.

Each magazine compartment has end walls 42, 43 with slots 44, 11.5 extending from top to bottom thereof, to form guideways for opposite ends of a bottle elevator 46 in each compartment. The upper ends of the compartments have frame members 4l, 48 along their sides.

Each'of the magazine compartments is preferably provided with a pair of vertically disposed angle bars l Q2. E52 fixed along its front and rear walls to form a restricted Vertical space for receiving the necks of the bottles therebetween, andA keeping the bottls in vertically aligned relation with each other.

Each bottle elevator 46 has a widened platform 50 near one end mounted on a transverse shaft 5l which extends throughand is suitably guided in the slots 44, 45 at opposite ends of the compartment. In the form shown, the shaft 5| has a guide roller 52 mounted at one end, to limit endwise movement of the shaft and its platform in the compartment. The platform has a relatively short guide lug 53 at one end which projects through the adjacent end slot 44 below the shaft 5i, and also has an extended guide lug 54 at the other end, which projects through the opposite end slot d5, as seen in Figure 4. The upper surface of the widened platform 50 is slightly inclined forwardly, to aid in discharging the bottle therefrom, as will presently appear.

Each of the elevators 45 are supported for vertical movement in their respective magazine compartments by a pair of continuous cables 55, 55, one of which is trained alternately in a serpentine path over pulleys 55, 5l, 58, 59V and 50, rotatably mounted in spaced relation along the side frame member 4l, and pulleys @I rotatably mounted on an end of each shaft 5I of each of the elevators 45, as is best seen in Figure 2. The other cable is similarly trained over like disposed pulleys onv the frame member 48 at the opposite side of the compartments. Both cables are suitably anchored at their rear ends, as by turnbuckles 55 fixed to the end Wall to the rear of the rear magazine compartment 35.

The cables 55, 55 are drawn in and paidv out at the same speed by a winding device 55, herein consisting of a pair of drums 65, 61 fixed on a common shaft 58 journalledY in a pair of bearing xtures 59, 59 on the platform 25 at the front of the compartments. In the form shown, the drums are enclosed in similar casings '19, 15 suitably fixed to the platform and each having a plurality of rollers H, 'Il arranged thereabout in close proximity to the helically grooved peripheries of said drums, so as to prevent accidental displacement of the cables 55, from their respective grooves. The cables pass through a transverse opening at the rear of the drum casings 10 and thence upwardly to the first pulleys 56 adjacent the top of the front compartment as seen in Figure 2.

The drum shaft 68 is driven by an electric motor T5, through a suitable speed reduction mechanism in casing "i6, and a sprocket and chain drive indicated generally at ll. The gear casing 15 is pivotally mounted at its inner end on a frame 18 supported on the bearing fixtures 69, 69 above the drum casingsflil, l0. The outer end of said gear casing'is adjustable relative to said frame, as by a threaded member 18a to vary the tension of the chain drive.

Means are provided for reversing the cable drums at will, in the form showed herein, such reversal being accomplished by providing an electric motor of the reversible type, with starting and reverse switching means responsive to various operatingcontrol devices, as will presently appear.

It may be explained at this point, that when the magazine compartments are each filled with bottles 89, 8l), the elevators 46 arepositioned in their lowermost positions, as shown in Figure 4, and that winding of the drums 56 and 6l will tend to cause said elevators to rise in their respective magazine compartments to eject the bottles from the upper ends of said compartmnts; It will be observed, however, that the several compartments are of increasing height, and correspondingly different bottle capacities, from front to rear. This condition, plus the cumulative friction of each successive pair of pulleys over which the cables 55 are trained, insures an initial discharging movement of the elevator in the front compartment, so that the bottles will, rstbe discharged from the front compartment, and the latter will become fully emptied before the elevator in theV second compartment starts to rise. This. complete emptying action is repeated for each of the succeedingY compartments, until all of the compartments are emptied.

The successive discharge of bottles from the several compartments as just described is in part automatically controlled and directed by a plurality of flaps 83, 84, and 86, having their rear edges hinged, respectively, along the front walls of each compartment at the upper discharge opening thereof.v The front edges of each of the flaps 84, 85Y and 86 project along the ends of said compartments in which the larger ends ofthe bottles are disposed, and each of the upper flaps overlap the rear hinged edges of the next lower fiap, so that all of said flaps normally close the left ends of the upper discharge openings, in downwardly inclined,v cascade relation asseen in Figures 3 and 11.

The hinged flaps 84, B5 and 85 are each provided with substantially upright flanges 84a, 85a,

and 35a, respectively, along their outer ends, andY with forwardly conveying inclined flanges 84h, 85h, and Sb, respectively, along their opposite inner ends,I to assist in directing the bottles from the upper discharge opening at the upper end of the' rear compartment and across the lower discharge openings of the other compartments to the delivery chute.

The lowermost nap 53 is somewhat wider than the three upper fiaps, and. end flanges are unnecessary in this case. Said' lower' flap forms part of the automaticcontrol mechanism, responsive to the passage of' a bottle thereover for actuating a switch'90 `of the electric control system mounted on the outer wall ofthe discharge chute |06 to out olf current to the motor 15. In the form shown, said lower flap 83 is yieldingly supportedV by a leaf spring 9| on switch 90 of the well known microswitch type, so that said flap normallyassumes a slightly elevated position relative to the upper flaps 84, 85 and 86, as shown in Figures 2 and 12. As soon as a bottle is discharged from one of the compartments, it is directed toward the delivery chute, and depresses the lower flap 83 as it passes thereover, to actuate the switch 90.

The upper hinged flaps 84,85 and 86 may be provided with auxiliary weights 84C, 85e and 86e mounted on the upright end flanges Mb, 85h and 86h, respectively, to assist in holding said flaps by gravity in their fully open position over their respective delivery openings, when loading the compartments.

A Means are also provided for controlling the egress of the bottles 'from the compartment discharge openings, so that they are maintained in propel' parallel position during discharge, but will be turned through an angle of 90 immediately after they emerge from their respective compartments so as toA pass by gravity with their larger end directed toward lthe delivert7 chute.

It will be understood that all of the bottles 80 are initially loaded in the compartments with their larger bottom ends toward the left, and their tops toward the right-as seen in Figure 4. Commercial bottlesv are commonly made with their bodies tapered upwardly slightly from their base. Hence, the bottles at the top of a compartment normally tend to tilt cap downwardly in the compartment, so as to be discharged from their compartment in a slightly tilted position.

To correct this tendency, I provide each compartment., near its upper end, with a generally upright leaf spring 95, preferably fixed to the rear wall near the left end of the compartment, bowed outwardly closely adjacent the discharge opening, as seen in Figure 3. Similar springs 95h may also be mounted at one or more points between the top and bottom of the compartment, as seen in Figure 4. These springs serve to retard the upward passage of the bottles at their bottom ends, thus tending to straighten them into a substantially horizontal position as they are ejected from their respective compartment openings. Y

Each of the hinged flaps 84, 85 and 86 have bowed strips 94 mounted transversely of their lower faces, forming abutment means to be engaged by the lower ends of the bottles and direct the bottle forwardly as they are ejected from their compartments. Each of the platformsy 46 has a recess 95a formed transversely of its upper surface to accommodate the bowed strip 94 on its' respective ilap, 'when' the platform is in its uppermost position. and its compartment is empty.

The uppermost back compartment requires no hinged flap, but may be provided with an extended, orwardly inclined plate 99 along its rear edge, to urge the larger ends of the bottles for-v wardly as they are ejected from the rear compartment.

The means for turning the larger ends of the bottles downwardly as they emergefrom their respective compartment openings is illustrated in detail in Figures 10, 11 and 12. Each compartment has an upright stop rod fixed, as by bolting to its front partition adjacent the right end'of the compartment, and extending a; substantial distance above its respective partition, in position to be. engaged by the neckof each 'bottle as the latter is ejected from its compartment. Thus, assuming that a bottle is being ejected from the top of the rear compartment, as seen in Figures 10 and 11, the larger, bottom end engages vthe inclined plate 99, and is urged forwardly onto the inclined hinged flap 86, over the next compartment, while the upper end of the bottle is retarded by the stop rod |00. This causes the bottle to be twisted or turned endwise at the same time that it is directed into the inclined chute formed between the end flanges of the flaps 86,185 and 94, with the result that the bottle will move by gravity over the lower discharge openings and toward the delivery chute, with its larger and heavier end directed toward the latter.

The delivery chute is indicated generally at |05, and includes means for protecting the apparatus from tampering, and preventing the unauthorized delivery of bottles from the machine. In the form shown herein, said chute leads into a housingV |06 suitably mounted on the front of the magazine compartments and arranged to project forwardly into proximity tothe hinged front door 20, with the delivery opening |01 registering with a framed opening |08 in said door.

The delivery chute includes 'a platform |09, hinged by pin intermediate its ends on a support I I2 and normally disposed at an inclined angle substantially in alignment with the aps 84, and 86 of the magazine compartments, and has `its rear end extending beneath the lower flap 83, which is hinged to the front edge of the front compartment as previously described.

The r.front end of the tilting platform |09 has a depending member fixed thereon, including an arcuate front surface ||3 arranged to swing in close proximity to an upright cross member ||4 xed to the bottom of the housing |06 to normally partially close the delivery opening |01. The arrangement is such, that when a bottle is discharged and slides downwardly from one of the magazine delivery openings, it passes bottom forward along the tilting platform |09 and beyond the hinge pin until the weight of the bottle serves to tilt the platform downwardly into the position shown in Figure 3. In this latter position, the lower end of the tilting platform |09 is brought into alignment with the inclined front face ||5 of the upright cross mem-ber ||4 at the bottom of the casing. The bottle finally comes to rest with its bottom end against a cushion I6, which is fixed at an inclined angle in the bottom sill ||8 of the framed opening |08 at the front door 20.

In this position the -sides of the bottle rest partially against the inclinedv surface ||5 of the cross member ||4, but it also engages the front edge of the tilting platform at its upper end, so as to prevent the return of said platform to its normal raised position until the bottle is removed from the delivery opening |01 by hand.

Means are also provided for temporarily retarding the movement of the bottle through the delivery chute just described, consisting of a buffer plate ||9, hinged at its upper end inthe housing |06 and depending into the path of the bottle just above the lower end of tilting platform |09, when the latter is in its normal raised position; The end of the bottle strikes this buffer plate as `it slides along the platform..

Means are also provided for adjusting the effec-vf tive Weighting of the builer'plate H9, bye. .con-.-

tainer fixed on the rear of said pliate'and lopen at its top, for reception of one or Vmore weights |21, as required for bottles of different weights. The lower end of the hinged buier plate H9 may also be provided with azcushion |22 to absorb excessive shocks when said plate swings into contact with the adjacent front wall of the housing Hi8.

The rear, shorter end of the tilting platform |29 may be provided `with a hinged auxiliary weight |23, if necessary, to counterbalance the longer front end of said platform.

Further means are provided vto prevent access to the apparatus through the delivery chute, herein consisting oi an arcuately shaped metaly hood |25, Xed to the upper surface of the tilting platform |29 just in front of its pivotal axis, to form an elongatedrestricted opening along said platform only of suicient diameter to permit the bottle to pass therethrough. In addition, another hood is xed on the housing |28, with its front opening substantially in registry with the rear edge of the movable hood |25 on the tilting platform, when the latter is swung upwardly in normal position. The rear portion of the iixed hood `|25 is slightly flared outwardly, to assist in guiding the bottom of each bottle into proper endwise alignment as it enters the mov able hood |25 on the tilting platform.

A bale plate |21 is also hinged near the topof the xed load |2i, and arranged so that it substantially closes the latter. Said `lballieplate is provided with projecting stop means `IZZSso that said baffle plate can only be opened by swinging in a forward direction.

The movable hood |25 forms in effect, a. re-

stricted cuff, to limit the insertion of a hand or ngers through the delivery opening, and the hinged baiile plate or gate |21 in the fixed hood |25 further protects the apparatus Ifrom the insertion 0f picks or like tools which may be projected through the delivery opening in 'an effort to tamper with the operating mechanism.

As a still further protection against tampering, it will be observed that when the platform |09 is tilted upwardly, it also tilts the liap 83 upwardly, as shown in Figure 3, so as to provide an additional positive barrierrto the interiorof the mechanism, especially when the front end of the tilting platform |09 is .in its relatively opened position.

The .apparatus is also provided with means for accommodating Vthe magazine compartments to bottles of different commercial sizes. As shown in Figures 10, 1l and l2, the stop pins Miti and angle bars- |02, |22 in each of the compartments are arranged to receive bottles of a large com,- mercia] size, such as a 12 oz. bottle Figures 8 and 14 show how the compartments cany be readily adjusted to handle smaller bottles, such as a six oz. size, 'by adjusting the-position of the stop pins |22 inwardly to a position within the angle lbars |02; |22, and afxing Ya second, slightly deeper row 0f angle bars |03, |03 valong front and rear walls of each compartment, to provide end abutments Vfor the caps of the shorter bottles. In case the bodies of the bottles are of smaller diameter, a plurality of Vpairs of auxiliary spacer rods EM and |25 Vcan Ialso be fixed along the front and rear walls opposite the Wider endscf the bottles. be lquickly changed to accommodate various commercial sizes of bottle.

The operation of the electric motor -15 for caus- Thus, the Ysamcmachine can i'ng'succe'ssive" ejection :of 'the bottles from the magazine compartments is controlled primarily by a kcoineoperated"mechanism 2|5, which may be of a conventional form, mountedY on the front door 2'8, and 'arranged as usual to close 'a switch 2H; when a coin is insertedin a slot 2|1 in the front of thecasing. The coin-operated mechanism is of the kind well known in the art, and details .thereof need not be described or shown herein, as it forms no essential part of the present invention.

The electric circuit for operating the motor, together with the several control ,devices associated therewith, will now be described, in connection with the scher'natic electric diagram, Figure l5.

Current isisupplied from main line conductors 222and 22|, which may, for instance, consist of the usual commercial alternating current lighting circuit.

The coin controlled switch 2|6 is connected in line |22 in series with a relay223 and the microswitchk 2t, which is normally closed, but is opened when a bottle, discharged from one of the compartments, passes over and depresses the lower flap 83, as previously described. The relay 223 operates to close'switch 223a in line 225 connected tovline 226 having relay 221 and microswitch 228 therein.

The microswitch 228 `is a forward limit switch, located at the upper end of the rear compartment, and arranged to be opened by engagement by the elevator 4@ therein after the last bottle has been discharged from the machine, thus protecting the mechanism from breakage.

Relay 223 also lcloses switch 223a in parallel with the coin-controlled switch `2'lito maintain current through line 222 after switch 2|6 has been initially closed bypassagesof a coin through theV coinV operating mechanism.

The relay 221 operates to close switches 221e and 2211i in the motor leads 228 and 22S, respectively, and also the switch 221C in the motor lead 230. When the relay 221 is energized, the motor will operate in its forward direction, to wind in the cable drums.

A Vbranch line 23| from line 225 leads to a double pole, manually operated reversing switch 232. which is manipulated by a toggle switch lever 223 preferably mounted at a suitable point within the cabinet. The switch lever 233 is connected to aline 234, which is connected to the main line 22|! through microswitch 235 and to the main line 22| through a flood light 236.

The microswitchV 235 is arranged to be automatically closed when the front door 2D is opened, to light the flood light 235 within the magazine compartment. It also disconnects the reversing switch-lever 232 when the door is closed, so the latter-switch is only operable for reversing the motor when the door is open.

The toggle switchI lever 232 can be selectively connected to the line .23| for operating the motor in the forward direction, or' to the line 231, leading through relay 238 and microswitch 239 to the main line 22|.

'The motor reversing circuit through lines 229 and with rela-ys 2216i, 2211), 238D and 238e constitutes a conventional reversing circuit, which need notbe further described herein,

The microswitchY 239 is a reverse limit switch, located at the bottom of the first compartment, and is automatically opened by engagement by the elevator. 4'6 in saidcompartment after said elevator has` reached the bottom of said compartment, and the magazines are fully loaded, so as to prevent overrunning of the cables on the cable drums.

The control mechanism also includes a coin acceptance magnet 240 in line 24|, connected by a double throw microswitch 242 to main line 220, and leading through a norm-ally closed switch 223D, and thence through a microswitch 243 in the motor lead 244 to the main line 22|.

The coin acceptance magnet forms a usual part i of the commercial coin mechanisms. As used herein, it serves its usual function of rejecting and returning a bad coin, by causing a coin to by-pass coinV switch 2|6 and returning said coin to the customer. The microswitch 242 is located near the upper end of the rear compartment, in position to be actuated by the elevator 46 therein when the last bottle is'being ejected therefrom, to cause any coins inserted in the machine to be returned, and also to connect the current to a signal light 245, suitably mounted on the front door` of the casing, to show that the machine is empty.

Microswitch 243 is located in the delivery housing |06 in position to be opened by the delivery platform |09` when it is tilted downwardly into final delivery position. Said switch is held in open positiony to render the motor inoperable, until the bottle in the delivery opening is removed and the `tilting platform restored to its raised position.

Moreover, microswitch v243 is located relative to the tilting platform |09 so that switch 243 will be opened before said platform engages and raises the flap 83 thus causing the latter flap to open switch 90, when one bottle passes thereover, and preventing delivery of two bottles at one time, by manipulating the tilting platform through the delivery opening.

The principal features of operation of the electric control mechanism just described may now be briefly reviewed. The discharge of the bottles in successive order fromthe magazine compartments is normally eifected solely by operation of the motor .in its forwardposition, in response to insertion of a coin in the coinv operating mechanism. The coin acceptance magnet 240 prevents the motor starting circuit from closing, however, Whenever an improper coin is inserted.

When the last compartment is emptied, the microswitch 242 energizes the empty signal light 245. The forward limit switch 228 also cuts off any further operation of the motor, until the supply of bottles has been replenished.

The opening of the door to the interior of the casing automatically cuts in a selectively operable, reversible motor circuit, capable of manual control through the toggle switch 232, located within thercasing. The motor reversing circuit is designed to permit the loading ofthe magazine compartments.

Referring now to ydetails of the refrigerating unit I6 for the cabinet, which is housed in the upper compartment and enclosed bythe hinged hoods I8, |8 as previously mentioned, said unit may consist of any Well-known refrigerating mechanism, including a compressor |50, a condenser |5|, and the usual associated parts, all mounted on a platform l |52. Said platform includes a pair of spaced side frame members |53, |53 slidably mounted on tracks|54, |54v along opposite sides of the horizontal partition |5, so that the entire refrigerating mechanism can be assembled or removed from the cabinet tis 10 as a unit, for replacement by another unit when repairs are necessary.

The refrigerator unit is held against accidental displacement by a pair of arcuate bosses |6|, |6| depending from each of the side frames |53 of the platform |52, .which bosses set into depressions |62, |62 in the tracks |54, |54, when the unit is in proper registering position relative to the cooling aperture |58.

In the arrangement shown herein, the refrigerating unit includes a cooling coil |55, mounted in an insulated casing |56, adjacent the rear end of the cabinet. The casing |56 has a relatively large opening |58 at its bottom, registering with a cooling aperture |51 formed in the top partition |5 of the dispensing magazine compartment, when the refrigerating unit is in normal assembled position in its upper compartment.

The juncture between the openings |51 and |58 is normally sealed by a flexible gasket |59, surrounding the bottom margin of the casing |56.

The cooling coils have a fan |59 arranged in the casing |56, with a baille plate |60 arranged for producing circulation of cooled air downwardly along one side of said casing, and a return current upwardly along the other side thereof, said circulating air current being continued through the cooling aperture |58 into communicationY with the lower compartment, so as to cool thelatter, as indicated in Figure 1'?. Thus the entire refrigerating unit can be removed from or replaced on the partition I5 without disconnecting the cooling coils from the condenser and its associated parts.

The condenser |5| of the refrigerating unit is cooled as usual by fan circulated air, passing through louvers |64 formed in the sides vof the hoods I8, I8. f

It will now be understood from the above description that the general arrangement ofthe upright magazine compartments, with ejection openings at the top thereof, together with the refrigerator vunit mounted above the delivery mechanismr compartment, aifords several distinct advantages in a bottle dispensing machine. For instance, the magazines and the delivery mechanism are especially compact in construction, permitting storage of a maximum number of bottles in a given space. -'Ihe top` ejection of the bottles permits the delivery chute to be disposed `most conveniently at a relatively high level on the front of the cabinet, and still permits the refrigerator unit to be mounted above the delivery mechanism, in the most efficient position for cooling the contents of the cabinet and servicing the unit, Without encroaching upon or interfering with the operation of the delivery mechanism. 'I'he refrigerating unit is well above the floor, to avoid dust and dirt, which tends to clog thecondenser vand reduce the efficiency of the unit.

Although I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, it will be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the exact construction shown and described, but that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1..-In a dispensing machine, a plurality of parallel upright magazine compartments, each having an elevator for supporting articles to be dispensed therefrom, means for actuating said elevators in consecutive order by step-by-st'ep movement to eject the articles one by one from openings at the tops of said compartments, the ejection opennigs oi said; compartments fleeing disposed in cascade relation toeacb .othersV and meansv for bridging each of the lower election openings to form a continuous chute, for. guiding an article by gravity from a higher opening across each lower opening toadischarge. station.

2. In a dispensing machine., a .plurality of parallel' upright. magazine compartments, each having` an elevator for supporting .articles tov be dispensed therefrom, means for actuating said elevators in consecutive order by ste'pebiy-st'ep movement. to eject. the. articles one; by one from openings at the tops of `said compartments, including continuous flexible cable means opera tively Aengaged with said elevators in theaforesaid consecutive order and va winding device for said cable means.

3. In a dispensing machine, a plurality of parallel upright magazine compartments, each having an elevator for supporting articles to be dispenseel' therefrom, means for actuating said elevators in consecutive order by step-by-step movement. to ejectY the articles Vone by one from openings:Y at the tops of said'. compartments, including continuous flexible cable means operatively engaged with said-elevators intheaforesaid consecutive order and' avvinding devicev for said cable means, the ejection openings4 ofsaid compartments being disposed in cascade relation t0 each other, and means for bridging .each of the lower ejection openings to. form a continuous chute for guiding an article by Ygravity from a higher opening across each lower opening to a discharge station.

4. `In a dispensing machine, a plurality of .paral-lel upright magazine compartments, Veach lhaving an elevator for supporting articles to be dis-V pensed therefrom, means for actuating said 'elevators in consecutive order by step-by-step rnoveg ment to eject the articles one by one from openings .at the, tops. of .said compartments, includvinga pair of continuous flexible cables, pulleys On the opposite vends, .of all .of said elevators operatively engaged -by said cables `respectively the aforesaid consecutive order, and a'single Vviihllirigy device. for said; cables.

adispensing machine, a plurality-of .parE Vallel upright; magazine compartments, each having an elevator for Vsupporting articles to ,be dispensaci therefrom, means. for actuating said elevators in consecutive order by step..by-.s.tep movement. to eject the articles one by one from openings at the tons of said compartments, inclucb ine. a pair of continuous iiexible cables, pulleys on the. `Opposite. ends- .of aliciv said I elevators operatively engaged by said cables respectively in." the aforesaid consecutive order, anda single winding.' device. for said cables. theeiection openE ings: ofv said: compartments being disposed in cas, cade relation to each other, and means for bridging each of the. lower ejection openings tororm a continuous chute. :for guidingan .article by gravity from a higher opening across each lower opening to. a .discharge station.

6. /In a dispensing machine, a plurality oat parallel' upright magazine. compartzmentsfeach` having an elevator for .supporting articles to be dispensed therefrom, means for actuating-said elevators in consecutive order by step-by-step .movement to eject. the articles onefby .one from .openings at. the .tops oi said compartments,V the ej.ecti on..o.penings of said .compartments being disposed in cascade relation. to eachother, and

. elevators in consecutive order by vstep-.by-step movement -.to eject the articles one, by one from Openings at the tops of said compartments, the elect-ion openings of. said compartments being disposed in cascade relation to each other, and flaps movably mountedover-and normally closing ille lower ejection openings to form continuous. ehutesections for discharging the articles by gravity across .each lower opening from any higher. ejection opening.

.8. In a. Vdispensing machine,` a. plurality of parallel .upright-magazine; compartments, eac-h having an elevator .for supporting elongated articles to be dispensed therefrom, means for actuating said elevators in consecutive: order bystep-bystep. movement to eject the .articles one by one nzoinopeningoi the tops of said. compartments, the `alecticn openings. of said .compartments being disposedin cascade relation to each other, means forguiding an varticle by gravity from a higher opening .across eachflower opening to a discharge station, andv means at. each ejection opening -for turning each 4article and directing it endwiseasitleayes its respective openingr and moves` bvgravity .toward said 4discharge station.

v9. In a. dispensing machine,- ay plurality of. parallel upright magazine. compartments, each havinean elevator .for supporting elongated articles to be dispensedthcreirom, ,means for actuating said elevators in consecutive order by step-bystep movement. toeject the articles. one by one trom openings .at the topsoi .said commitments, the .ejection openingsof said compartments being disposed in cascade relation to each other, flaps movably mounted over andbridging each oi the lower eject-ion openings to form a Vcontinuous chute for guiding .an article Vby gravity from a higher opening across .each lower opening to a discharge station, andabutment means at one end of said ejection openingy for initially directing, one, end of a bottle toward said chute as it emerges., from Yits ejection opening, and a fixed abutmentadjacent the other end of sadv ejection opening, for turning each article and directing it endwise. as it leaves said opening and moves by gravity toward said discharge station.

l0. In a dispensing machine, a plurality of parallel uprightY magazine compartments, each havinganelevator for simportingV elongated articles to be vdispensed therefrom," means for actuating said elevators; in consecutive order by step-bystep movement to eject the articles one by one from openings at the tops of said compartments, the ejection openings of said compartments being disposed incascad'e relation to each other, and `iiaps movably'lmounted over and bridging each of the lower ejection openings to form a continuous chute for guiding an article by gravity'froml-a higher opening across each 'lower opening'to a discharge station, and abutment means at` each ejectionbpening for initially directing-one end oil a' bottle toward said chute as it emergesffrom its ejection opening, including anabutment on the bottom of each of' said il-aps adjacent one'endfthereof, andra xed abutment chute for guiding ing, for turning each article and directing it endwise as it leaves said opening and moves by gravity toward said discharge station.

11. In a dispensing machine, a plurality of parallel upright magazine compartments, each having an elevator for supporting articles to be dispensed therefrom, means for actuating said elevators in consecutive order by step-by-step movement to eject the articles one byone from openings at the topsof said compartments, the ejection openings of said compartments being disposed in cascade relation to each other, aps movably mounted over and bridging each of the lower ejection openings to form a continuous chute for guiding an article by gravity from a higher opening across each lower opening to a discharge station, and means responsive to the passage of an article along said chute for rendering said elevator actuating means temporarily inoperative.

12. In a dispensing machine, a plurality of parallel upright magazine compartments, each having an elevator for supporting articles to be dispensed therefrom, means for actuating said elevators in consecutive order by step-by-step movement to eject the articles one by one from openings at the tops of said compartments, the ejection openings of said compartments being disposed in cascade relation to each other, and aps movably mounted over and bridging each of the lower ejection openings to form a continuous chute for guiding an article by gravity from a higher opening across each lower opening to a discharge station, and a hinged control flap below and in series with said rst-named flaps engaging control means for rendering said elevator actuating means temporarily inoperative when said control flap is depressed by the weight of an article passing thereover.

13. In a dispensing machine, a plurality of parallel upright magazine compartments, each having an elevator for supporting articles to be dispensed therefrom, means for actuating said elevators in consecutive order by step-by-step movement to eject the articles one by one from the upper ends of said compartments, the upper ejection openings of said compartments being disposed in cascade relation to each other, and movable iiaps hinged adjacent the rear edges of said ejection openings for bridging each of the lower ejection openings to form a continuous yan Varticle by gravity from a higher opening across each lower opening to a discharge station.

14. In a dispensing machine, a plurality of parallel upright magazine compartments open at the upper end, each having an elevator for supporting articles to be dispensed therefrom, means for actuating said elevators consecutively to eject the articles one by one in predetermined order from the upper vends of said compartments, including pulleys on said elevators, other pulleys xed on the upper ends of said compartments intermediate adjacent compartments, exible 14 cable means trained alternatively over said elevator pulleys and said xed pulleys, and power winding means for said cable means.

15. In a dispensing machine, a plurality of parallel upright magazine compartments open at the upper end, each having an elevator for supporting articles to be dispensed therefrom, means for actuating said elevators consecutively to eject the articles one by one in predetermined order from the upper ends of said compartments, including pulleys on said elevators, other pulleys fixed on the'upper ends of said compartments intermediate adjacent compartments, iexible cable means trained alternately over said elevator pulleys and said xed pulleys, power winding means for said cable means, coin operated control means for starting said power winding means, and other control means responsive to the ejection of an article from any one of said compartments for rendering said power winding means inoperative.

16. In a dispensing machine, a casing having a delivery opening, an article magazine in said casing, means for ejecting articles from said magazine and discharging them by gravity to- Ward said delivery opening including a movable chute portion, a rockable delivery platform at said delivery opening beyond said chute normally inaccessible from the exterior of said casing, but tiltable by the weight of an article thereon to move the latter into accessible position in saiddelivery opening, said platform being connected with said chute portion for moving the latter into non-delivering position when said platform is tilted into delivery position.

17. In a dispensing machine, a casing having a delivery opening, an article magazine in said casing, means for ejecting articles from said magazine and discharging them by gravity toward said delivery opening including a movable chute portion, a rockable delivery platform at said delivery opening beyond said chute nor- Y mally inaccessible from the exterior of said casing, but tiltable by the weight of an article thereonto move the latter into accessible position in said delivery opening, said platform being connected with said chute portion for rocking said chute portion upwardly to prevent access to said article magazine from the exterior of the casing when said platform is tilted into delivery position.

EDWARD A. TERHUNE.

REFERENCES cI'rED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 494,346 Pierce Mar. 28, 1893 2,093,410 Boon Sept. 21, 193'? 2,281,191 Eddy Apr. 28, 1942 2,308,532 Mills Jan. 19, 1943 2,314,632 Rear Mar. 23, 1943 

